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The Set-Up (1949)

Rate: 8
Viewed: 7/06

SetUp
7/06: A cross between The Maltese Falcon and On the Waterfront, The Set-Up offers an interesting story that's dark, gloomy, and realistic.

It has an outstanding use of chiaroscuro. I'm impressed with the unrestrained tone, having escaped the tentacles of the Hays Code. The ending is how film noir should be defined because it's not meant to be happy. On the surface, the boxing scenes appear to be thrilling, but unfortunately, they're stagy.

The strength of the picture is the boxer's upholding of his principles, regardless of what happens. Playing by the rules to win the match fair and square is clouded by being offered a rich sum of money. It becomes a strong force in shaping his decisions which will prove to be fatal.

Robert Ryan finally gets a role that works for him. It's a relief because I got tired of his bland appearance in many films noirs. Audrey Totter is marvelous as the sensitive worrier, fearing her husband would die from boxing.

All in all, The Set-Up is a well-done piece of work by Robert Wise.